warpedskydiver 0 #1 April 3, 2006 Venezuelans Train for Civilian Militias By NATALIE OBIKO PEARSON, Associated Press Writer Mon Apr 3, 3:21 AM CHARALLAVE, Venezuela - The women, some trembling, grasp the assault rifles and awkwardly lower themselves into sniper positions as they take aim and fire at white targets in the distance. Dressed in jeans and sneakers, the women are the unlikely heart of a new civilian militia being trained as Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez warns his country must be ready for a "war of resistance" against the United States. The U.S. government dismisses Chavez's claims of a possible invasion as ridiculous. But Chavez insists Venezuelans must be prepared for anything, citing a short-lived 2002 coup that briefly unseated him. Housewives, students, construction workers, social workers and many unemployed have signed up for the Territorial Guard. Lt. Col. Rafael Angel Faria Villalobos, who led the training for 900 volunteers on their first day of bootcamp Saturday, said 20 weeks of instruction will turn them into resistance fighters prepared to defend their communities in the event of a conflict. "Those who come here have never fired a shot in their lives," he said. Ten at a time, the volunteers lined up as officers coached them to fire the military's standard-issue Belgian FAL assault rifles from standing, kneeling and prone positions at numbered targets in an open field. Territorial Guard volunteers aren't issued weapons, but commanders said guns would be made available in emergency situations. "It was exciting, too good," gushed Yomaira Alas, a 28-year-old housewife, after firing the gun for the first time. Officials say the force will be capable of defending communities, protecting hospitals and schools, keeping order and preventing looting. Some Chavez opponents have expressed concern the force could be used to quell internal dissent. But soldiers who led Saturday's drills made clear U.S. troops were the hypothetical enemy as men and women swarmed across an obstacle course of barbed wire, burning tires and concrete fortifications. "Kill the gringo! That gringo is taking away your women," yelled a soldier as he tossed a man a rifle to butt a target _ a military uniform stuffed with straw. A siren wailed while the acrid smell of smoke hung in the air. Besides the Territorial Guard, Chavez also has called for an army reserve of 1 million fighters and has sealed arms deals to supply regular soldiers with 100,000 new Kalashnikov assault rifles and helicopters from Russia. Despite Chavez's warnings of a possible U.S. invasion, many trainees said they feel it's a remote possibility. There were light moments during the drills as some snapped photos, stumbled on the obstacle course amid laughter and talked excitedly after target practice. "I'm having a great time," said Sujeidy Pereira, 25, through smiles. Giggling, she added: "Fatherland or death." Quote Gee there is so much to make fun of here where do I start? So I will use the BOLD type to highlight my take on this. 1. White Targets?....geez we better not have the KKK invade Venezuela. 2. 900 volunteers?...geez houswives can be scary. 3.Kill the gringo! That gringo is taking away your women,"...only the hot ones that want sex! 4.100,000 AK 47s?....wow that's ALOT of driveby shootings 5.Fatherland or Death?....very catchy phrase! I want a t shirt with that on it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites narcimund 0 #2 April 3, 2006 QuoteGee there is so much to make fun of here where do I start? I agree but BillVon's asked me to refrain from personal attacks... First Class Citizen Twice Over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites kallend 2,150 #3 April 3, 2006 I guess you are too young to remember the US invasions of Panama and Granada, and the support of the Contras. You do remember Iraq though. Given some of the rhetoric from the right I'd say Chavez has a point.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites warpedskydiver 0 #4 April 3, 2006 When Grenada happened I was driving home after leaving the Army. No I don't think it's improbable I was just thinking of the statements in the story Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites freethefly 6 #5 April 3, 2006 Quote1. White Targets?....geez we better not have the KKK invade Venezuela. Who else would be likely to invade, given that our government is bent on pre-emptive strike? Quote2. 900 vlolunteers?...geez houswives can be scary. Sounds alot like our National Guard. Quote3.Kill the gringo! That gringo is taking away your women,"...only the hot ones that want sex! "...only the hot ones that want sex!" It is that kind of view that gives some a reason to hate us. Quote4.100,000 AK 47s?....wow that's ALOT of driveby shootings The US most likely holds the record for driveby shootings. Quote5.Fatherland or Death?....very catchy phrase! I want a t shirt with that on it! Sounds no different than some of the crap you hear here in the US. It is possible that their government knows something that we average Americans do not. Given that our governments attitude that any country that does not bow down to us is evil they have every right to prepare for a possible invasion."...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. 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narcimund 0 #2 April 3, 2006 QuoteGee there is so much to make fun of here where do I start? I agree but BillVon's asked me to refrain from personal attacks... First Class Citizen Twice Over Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,150 #3 April 3, 2006 I guess you are too young to remember the US invasions of Panama and Granada, and the support of the Contras. You do remember Iraq though. Given some of the rhetoric from the right I'd say Chavez has a point.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
warpedskydiver 0 #4 April 3, 2006 When Grenada happened I was driving home after leaving the Army. No I don't think it's improbable I was just thinking of the statements in the story Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freethefly 6 #5 April 3, 2006 Quote1. White Targets?....geez we better not have the KKK invade Venezuela. Who else would be likely to invade, given that our government is bent on pre-emptive strike? Quote2. 900 vlolunteers?...geez houswives can be scary. Sounds alot like our National Guard. Quote3.Kill the gringo! That gringo is taking away your women,"...only the hot ones that want sex! "...only the hot ones that want sex!" It is that kind of view that gives some a reason to hate us. Quote4.100,000 AK 47s?....wow that's ALOT of driveby shootings The US most likely holds the record for driveby shootings. Quote5.Fatherland or Death?....very catchy phrase! I want a t shirt with that on it! Sounds no different than some of the crap you hear here in the US. It is possible that their government knows something that we average Americans do not. Given that our governments attitude that any country that does not bow down to us is evil they have every right to prepare for a possible invasion."...And once you're gone, you can't come back When you're out of the blue and into the black." Neil Young Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
